Vacant plots in merged areas still being used as dumping yards

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Civic body taking time to implement solid waste management measures

Vacant plots in many localities that were merged with the Chennai Corporation continue to be used as dumping yards in view of the time taken by the civic body to implement solid waste management plans there.

S.Veena, a resident of Maduravoyal, said garbage collection was not being done on a daily basis in her area. “Though the previous administration of our locality was ineffective, they still did some work with regard to garbage clearance. We expected the Corporation to take over the operations once the local body elections got over. But that has not happened,” she said.

Some residents said they travel a few km to locate the nearest bin to dump garbage daily on their way to work. “Many residents throw garbage on vacant plots. I do not want to do that. I continue to carry garbage and dump in bins in the area that was part of the city limits,” said G.Rohini, a resident of Vinayakapuram in the Madhavaram zone.

R.Abhirami, of Prabhu Nagar, Thoraipakkam, said that their area, which was under a town panchayat earlier, did not have garbage bins. “The new administration too has not made efforts to place bins. We do not have any option but to dump garbage on vacant plots near our house.”

Poornima, who works in the Perungudi Industrial Estate, said a waterbody near her office was being used as a dumpyard. “People dump even industrial and hospital waste along the waterbody. I have written several letters to the Collector and the Chennai Corporation but no action has been taken so far,” she said.

Sources in the Chennai Corporation said a total of 1,000 tonnes was being collected daily from the extended areas alone. “Along with regular garbage collection from bins, we are in the process of cleaning up private and temple lands that were used as dumping yards. It would take another month for us to set things right,” the sources said.